In PHOTOS: Rubbish protests in Italy

Rubbish protests continue in Italy

The streets of Naples are stinking! More overpowering than the stench of piled-up garbage is the resolute of the Residents of Terzigno, a municipality in the Province of Naples, who are protesting against plans to build a large garbage tip on the edge of the town.

In 2007, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had pledged to create a solution to country's ever-growing problem with litter. But the move to open a new waste dump near Terzigno, have triggered a series of demonstrations in which campaigners are preventing access to the existing garbage tip.

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Image: A woman pushes a stroller near a pile of garbage in downtown NaplesPhotographs: Agnfoto/Reuters

Rubbish protests in Italy

"The bad smell bothers us, but it is the lesser evil," a schoolteacher participating in the protest said, adding: "The most important thing is that we are dying here, there is leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, there are the most terrible diseases around."

Rubbish protests in Italy

Guido Bertolaso, Italy's head for the civil protection agency, proposed the offer to mayors in Naples on Sunday. However, regional governors are refusing the deal saying there are no guarantees that the dumpsite will be delayed. Further meetings were held on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing issue.

Image: Riot policemen arrest a protester during violent overnight protests against the opening of a new waste dump in TerzignoPhotographs: Ciro De Luca/Reuters

Rubbish protests in Italy

At a press conference, Bertolaso said that the proposal would see plans for the new site suspended indefinitely while tests are carried out at an existing dumpsite in order to determine the health threats to local residents.

Image: A car burns during a violent overnight protests against the opening of a new waste dump in TerzignoPhotographs: Ciro De Luca/Reuters